MORE SALT, TOWING IN SNOW PLANS

Chicago had its first measurable snowfall Tuesday, but the city`s Department of Streets and Sanitation has been planning for it since July, according to a spokeswoman.

Kirsten Svare, the department`s public information officer, said the city would increase its available salt load this year and boost car towing.

''We`re expecting to do more winter towing,'' said Svare, adding that the department just finished towing 15,000 abandoned cars citywide in a four-month period.

Abandoned and illegally parked cars on main streets have been a traditional problem in Chicago during its heavy snowfalls. When plows are forced to go around the cars, it increases snow build-up and slows traffic.

Svare said there would be a parking ban beginning Dec. 1 on 107 miles of city streets from 3 to 7 a.m. The ban, to be in effect daily until April 1, would allow the city`s plow and salt trucks to keep the major streets clear for cars and buses during heavy snows.

Another 610 miles of less busy streets will also be off limits for parking if snowfall accumulates to at least 2 inches. Both areas will be well- marked for drivers, she said.

The streets department has assigned 225 trucks to as many routes to battle ice and snow.

Chicago`s salt supply for the winter will be increased 35,000 tons from the usual 210,000 to 225,000 tons the city uses for its coldest season. The city began receiving salt shipments last month and is to receive its last boatload Dec. 10.

In addition to spreading salt on major streets, the department will continue the practice, started last year, of sprinkling side streets.

In the past, aldermen have used winter budget negotiations as a forum to complain of problems on the side streets and to demand better service from the department. Their constituents would complain that they couldn`t get in or out of their side streets because of heavy snow and ice accumulation.

Last year, Mayor Harold Washington silenced some of the complaints by ordering salt on side streets.

And this year, the Chicago City Council approved its budget before winter storms or snow even fell. The budget, for a record $2.4 billion, was approved by the council last week, and the hearings had been held in October.

Negotiations began in July for salt contracts, with reviews of previous use and supply, Svare said. Last year`s winter was milder than most in Chicago, and 95,000 tons of salt were left over. An additional 165,000 tons were ordered from International Salt Co. in Ohio.

The salt is unloaded from the boats at 127th Street and Calumet Avenue in the Far South Side 10th Ward and 400 E. North Water St. in the 42d Ward and visible from the Outer Drive.

From there, salt is hauled by almost three dozen trucks to 15 storage sites. The truck firms are minority or women business enterprises, according to Svare.